“Mr. B was friendly with M. Arpels of Van Cleef and Arpels, and, in a mutually profitable publicity heist, I went with George to the Fifth Avenue jewelry store one day in full makeup with my glamorously studded “diamonds” tutu in a plastic bag. The store was closed and the glass cases were opened. While cameras clicked away, George and M. Arpels threw priceless jewelry at me. They even took the crowns of Empress Josephine and the Czarina out of the vault and put them on my head.”
— Suzanne Farrell in Holding on to the Air (affiliate link)
These photos were taken at a presentations at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, 1976
Bottom right photo was taken in Van Cleef & Arpels New York shop earlier (possibly 1967). I don’t have the photographer name for either set of photos.
We were like children locked in a candy store. It was enormously amusing as each master eyed his work – George would say, “Look at her, look how wonderful she looks,” while M. Arpels agreed, “Yes, look at that setting of diamonds and sapphires, what a magnificent setting.”
— Suzanne Farrell in Holding on to the Air (affiliate link)
M Arpels, Balanchine, and Suzanne, 1976.
Curtain call after the premiere of Diamonds. Look at the way her looks at her.
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